Quiz: The Spring Flowers Test

Some of this I agree with.  I did hibernate somewhat this winter, both because I was sick and because it was cold and raining and I was really tired.

You Are Hopeful

You expect the best in people, yourself, and the world. You have made a conscious choice to be an optimist. You choose to see the upside of everything. It's how you survive and thrive on this crazy planet. Winter doesn't get you down, but you do slow down a bit when it's cold and dreary. You appreciate the time to hibernate. You enjoy having the time to reflect and be calm, but you're always happy for spring to come around again. Spring is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts for you. It's time to bloom again. Spring makes you excited to explore and live life fully. Each new bloom inspires you a little bit more.

The Spring Flowers Test

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes!

Quiz: What is Your Irish Name?

Your Irish Name Is: Fiona O'Keefe

"What butter or whiskey does not cure cannot be cured."

What's Your Irish Name?

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes!

Signs You Were Destined to Be a Writer

From Writerslife.org

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Do you know that you were just born to be a writer? Did you have the burning desire to write in your belly from a really young age? Are you unsure whether writing is the right path to you and want to feel more certain?

Writers are often filled with self-doubt, and when your writing isn’t going very well it can be easy to start to question yourself. Surely I should be published by now? Surely I should have finished my book by now? Surely I should feel more inspired to write by now?

The truth is that all writers go through periods of uncertainty, and, let’s face it if you are taking the time to read this article you obviously care enough about writing to spend your time doing so!

However, if you often find yourself pondering about whether you were truly meant to be a writer then ask yourself if you do any of the following?

Daydream about writing

Do you often find yourself daydreaming about your writing? Wondering what it would be like to be an award-winning novelist, a bestseller, a famous playwright, blogger or poet? If you fantasise about being a writer then chances are you were meant to be one.

I agree with this one in that I have daydreamed almost all my life of things to write. Yet I neglected to write some of them down. I did do some that I have lost over the years. I slacked off for several years, but I know it's never too late to begin again, as I have done.

Feel amazing when you sit down and write

For writers, there is no other feeling quite like sitting down and actually writing. Sure we doubt ourselves and we procrastinate like hell at times, but when we actually get down to it and write something we’re proud of, the feeling is exhilarating, satisfying and fills us with a deep sense of pride. Know what I am talking about? Then you’re a writer for sure.

I've been feeling this way since I've been working on my story.

Read all the time

Writers love to read. It’s where they get their inspiration, it’s how they learn. If you’ve always got your head stuck in a book, love reading a huge range of books, and get excited every time a book you’re reading gives you a new idea for your writing, this is a pretty good sign.

Yes, totally true. Reading other memoirs gave me that idea, especially Prozac Nation.  Reading novels written in dairy or letter format has made me want to try that kind of writing (I have started one such story).  I've read poetry that inspires me to write my own poems, either mirroring the original poems or taking lines or phrases from a poem to create one of my own.

Get told what a vivid imagination you have

Are people always telling you you’ve got an amazing imagination? Do they love the way you tell stories, or make even the dullest activity seem exciting and full of magic? You’re clearly a natural born story teller and should use your talents to write!

Not sure if anyone has told me this, but I think it's true.

Always create stories in your head

Do you find yourself walking along the street/ sitting on a train/ drifting off at night and suddenly you’re making up a story in your head? Writers find inspiration and ideas for stories wherever they go, and are always, whether consciously or not, on the lookout for new material.

This one goes with what I sad above about daydreaming about writing.  I've had some ideas for stories that I have written down and have since lost.  But I still get this way and am trying again.

Write in your free time

You give up your free time to write? Well, that makes you a writer in my book! Let’s face it, there are a million things you could be doing in your spare time to make your life a richer, more exciting and happier one. If you are choosing to use those precious hours to write it shows just how much you care.

School work used to get in the way of my writing, but I did take advantage of may free time to write or draw, another thing I did so much as child. I could not wait for summer, when school got out. 

Strive for perfection

Writers tend to be perfectionists – in fact, it is something we have to struggle to contend with to make sure we actually get anything done! If you are your own worst critic and can’t quite seem to let your writing be completely and truly ‘finished’ that’s a sign you are a true writer indeed!

This is how I have been feeling lately as I try to finish my memoir. I'm not sure how much longer I should make it and I'm still finding things I want to add or take out. 

Get nervous when other people read your work

Getting nervous about sharing our work doesn’t mean that our writing is bad, it just means that we are passionate about it and invested in it. If you can’t help but feel a little anxious every time you hand a piece of writing over (even if it’s only to your mom), that’s a sign that writing is for you.

In the past whenever I let my dad read anything I'd write, he'd always find something to be critical about. Know he's going to find something of the sort, so I'm sometimes hesitant to let him read it.  I haven't let him read my memoir, though.

I sent my memoir to some people from school as PDF via email. I have yet to hear from any of them. I also sent it to some of my mom's old friends and as group e-mail to my book club. I've gotten some feedback from some of those people. My mom has yet to read it, however.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to be a writer -whether you were destined to be one or not. But if you’ve got that fire in your belly, that drive, that passion, or even just that little writing itch that demands to be scratched then it looks like writing is something you’ll always love to do.

Even if I didn't do it for a while, I never seems to have given up on it. So I guessI was meant to write.

Do any of you agree with any of these points?

More Skeletons in the Closet

Maybe this is an idea I should consider next Halloween, though no one but me would see it.

The image above could easily be an assemblage project, something I've been trying to get the people at my work interested in for our art class. Most of them don't understand the concept and have been asking me to make an example. I've already shown them images of such work, now they want to see physical example. I'm trying to get one planned and started.

What Kind of Writing is Best For You?

Today at Writerslife.org:

What Kind Of Writing Is Best For Me?

Whether you are just starting out on your writing path, or have been doing it for years but fancy a change, it may be time to take a step back and ask yourself the question: What kind of writing is best for me?

Many people who want to write just do so blindly, they think they should be writing a novel when actually they have a talent for writing short stories, they spend years laboriously pouring over their poetry, when in fact, they had a best-selling TV script up their sleeve all along.

Of course, many writers try their hand at lots of different kinds of writing, and that is by far the most interesting and useful way – experiment with different types, styles, and genres to see what feels right and inspires you the most.

However, understanding a little more about what you like and your writing style can help you get there quicker. Let’s take a look at some of the most common writing types and see if they sound like they would appeal to you.

 

Articles

Do you like deadlines? Are you super organised? Do you like researching and writing about a variety of topics? Do you like learning new things? Article writing could be right up your street!

I took journalism in high school since I knew I liked writing then. This was my extent at writing articles. I still remember and use the editing techniques we learned then when I'm going over what I have typed, including my current piece of work.

Blogging

Do you have a niche subject or hobby you want to share with the world? Do you love connecting with people? Are you hot on social media? Are you a productive writer? Perhaps blogging is best for you.

Since I have a blog, this is a no-brainer.  I find bogging a way to express things I think of that I want to share. I love reading and commenting on other blogs as well.

Novels

Do you have a unique story you are dying to tell? Do you love using your imagination and being creative? Do you enjoy crafting a tale? Are you disciplined when it comes to your writing? Can you handle rejection? Do you have the time and energy to write a whole novel? You might just have an amazing novel up your sleeve!

Still trying to decide if I want to go this route.  When I began my story last year, I debated over whether it should be a novel or memoir.  Because the notes I began writing sounded like  a memoir, I went that way. I've often pondered attempting a novel, however, and I recently began what I hope to make a YA novel written in diary format. Perhaps even a novella could be something I may attempt.

Memoirs

Do you live or have you led a fascinating life? Do you have a weird/ wonderful/ tumultuous/ terrifying family history? Do you need to make sense of something that has happened to you? Have you learned life lessons that you think others could relate to or benefit from hearing about? Perhaps a fascinating memoir is a way forward.

As all you regular readers of my blog know, I have been working on a memoir of depression for more than year now. I'm still trying to get it done and have been worrying over the word count. Some people tell me it's the effort that counts, but others say different publishers require a certain word count.  I'm almost totally certain I don't want to self-publish, though the word count doesn't matter in that case.

Scripts

Are you excellent at dialogue? Are you the one always telling stories at parties? Do you love to observe people? Do you love creating different characters and being their puppet master? Perhaps script or screenwriting is for you.

I'm not too certain about this one, but maybe I'll try writing plays or any other work that emphasizes dialogue.

Poetry 

Do you love playing with language? Rhythm and rhyme? Do you enjoy experimenting with form, and choosing every word carefully to deliver the biggest impact? Do you like surprising people with your words? Do you love poetic language and using poetic devices in your work? Perhaps you need to awaken the poet within!

I have tried this one and it's easy for me, though I tend to write the kinds that don't rhyme--guess it's easier that way. 

 Short Stories

Do you have loads of creative ideas? Do you find yourself always making up little stories in your head? Are you economic with words and language when you write? Do like to work on smaller projects where you can clearly see the finish line? Short stories could be your niche.

I've tried this one, especially for my creative writing class in college. I may just try again when I need to summon my creativity.

Thinking about what you like to read can also help you decide what kind of writer you want to be, Many writers have broad reading interests, but it’s rare that a person who hates poetry would want to be a poet, and so on.

Asking yourself the questions above can help you determine what sort of writing you might be most interested in and have an aptitude for. Of course, you might want to only concentrate on one type of writing, or you might want to try your hand at them all.

One thing is certain, without experimenting with your writing and the type of writing you do – you might never discover that hidden writing talent and passion within you!

I agree with all of this above. Sometimes you have to stick with what you like writing best, but experimenting with other kinds of writing can release a hidden talent you may have for that kind of writing. 

Another Post From the "Closet"

Here is the next "closet"-themed piece for the week.

About two months ago, I came across something online that no one older than I seems to remember.  But it was only a novelty at the time and is rare today. I was too little to understand it at the time.

From the website Flashback:

In 1977, former advertising executive Harvey Rosenberg gave the world Gay Bob,  ‘the world’s first openly gay doll’.

Every Gay Bob came with a message: “COME OUT OF THE CLOSET WITH GAY BOB.”

“He sits. He stands He gets into any position… And since he is anatomically correct, he can even play with himself without going blind.”

In yer face, Tiny Tears!

Gay Bob is a big 13 inches tall (wow) and made of plastic (or plastique, if you’re very elegant)… He comes dressed in mucho macho plaid shirt, blue jeans that open with a smart snap to reveal his private parts, boots and (naturally) one earring. He lives in a closet and has his own storybook / fashion catalogue. Barbie and Ken move over, GAY BOB IS HERE.”

Barbie move over. Ken, you can stay. ....

(Click the link above to see more of this article)

WARNING!!!! The site contains NFSW images.  

And here is a Youtube video on Gay Bob:

Here's more on Gay Bob from this site:

“It’s another evidence of the desperation the homosexual campaign has reached in its effort to put homosexual lifestyle, which is a deathstyle, across to the American people.”

A lobby group called Protect America’s Children made this statement in 1978—about a doll.

That year, the release of Gay Bob, billed as the world’s first openly gay doll, caused a minor sensation. Enraged consumers complained that a toy with a homosexual backstory would lead to other ”disgusting” dolls like “Priscilla the Prostitute” and “Danny the Dope Pusher.” Esquire awarded Gay Bob its “Dubious Achievement Award.” And anti-gay organizations across the United States blustered.

Gay Bob, who was meant to resemble a cross between Robert Redford and Paul Newman, was blond, with a flannel shirt, tight jeans, and one pierced ear. The doll gave anti-gay organizations plenty to fear; intrinsic within it was a celebration of gay identity, evidenced by Gay Bob’s programmed speech. “Gay people,” Bob said, “are no different than straight people… if everyone came ‘out of their closets’ there wouldn’t be so many angry, frustrated, frightened people.”

In a cheeky move, the box in which Gay Bob was packaged came in the outline of a closet, so that when he left his box, he was literally coming out of the closet. Gay Bob explained: “It’s not easy to be honest about what you are — in fact it takes a great deal of courage… But remember if Gay Bob has the courage to come out his closet, so can you.”

The only problem with taking him out of the closet is that it devalued him, just as taking any toy out of its closet--er, original packaging---would do :-)

This is pretty weird. Even the folks at the Plaidstallions blog don't seem to know about it, and they've featured many toys I've never heard of or wasn't old enough to know about at the time of their release. One toy that the site has featured many times is Pulsar (a Six Million Dollar Man knockoff), whose face looks almost similar to that of Gay Bob. They both looked so old, like someone who could take exercise lessons from Jack LaLanne.




 I won't be surprised to learn that none of you knew about Gay Bob.

Skeletons in the Closet

I don't know where this blog idea came from today, but it's perfect for some things I've been noticing and remembering that fit this title--in some ways.


First, about two months ago, I began remembering a TV show that ran on NBC from 1997 to 2000, called Veronica's Closet.  No one I know seems to remember this. I  know I watched it, especially during the first season, when it aired after Seinfeld (then in its final season).  Marta Kaufman, Kevin Bright, and  David Crane, the executive producers for the long-running hit series Friends, were also the executive producers of Veronica's Closet.

The show's title of course is a takeoff on the real-life lingerie company Victoria's Secret. 

Along with Kirstie Alley's title character, Veronica "Ronnie" Chase, head of the company, the staff included:

Perry Rollins (Dan Cortese), former underwear model turned company publicist

Leo Michaels (Daryl Mitchell), head of marketing

Josh Blair (Wallace Langham) Ronnie's secretary, a closeted homosexual (He came out toward the end of the series just as he was planning to get married)

Olive Massery (Kathy Najimy), the top executive, who was also Ronnie's best friend

These five cast members remained with the series for its entire run. 

Some details from Wikipedia:

Season one[edit]

As the country’s leading romance expert and owner of Veronica’s Closet, purveyor of lingerie and books designed to keep romance alive, Veronica Chase seems to have it all. Her only problem has been a rocky marriage to a womanizing husband, Bryce, (Christopher McDonald) whom she finally gathered the strength to leave. Having written The Guide to a Fairy Tale Marriage and built an empire as the foremost authority on relationships, Ronnie must now confront the charade she’s been living in the public eye as the perfect wife and career woman. Helping Ronnie run the company and her personal life is her top executive, Olive, who is always ready with solid business advice or a shoulder to cry on.

Season two[edit]

In the second season, Ron Silver joins the cast as Alec, Ronnie’s new business partner and nemesis who buys controlling interest of the company she built. Robert Prosky, who played Ronnie’s father in season one, was written out of the show (no explanation is ever given).

Season three[edit]

In the third and final season, Alec was killed off the show as it was shown that audiences did not like Ron Silver’s character. His widow, June, took over his role in the company and later admitted to pushing Alec into a volcano. Although the final few episodes of Veronica’s Closet did not air in the U.S. on NBC, they were later aired on the USA Cable Network during its syndicated run. In the final episodes, Veronica ends up dating Perry, Olive sells her Internet company and buys June’s half of Veronica’s Closet, making her a co-owner with Veronica, and Josh finally accepts the fact that he is gay and starts dating his neighbor and friend, Brian.

History[edit]

The series premiered on Sept 25, 1997, after Seinfeld, to 35 million viewers. Its title was derived from the “real life” lingerie company, Victoria’s Secret. The show was a top 10 hit, although the initial ratings died down later in the first season. The sitcom spent the first two seasons on Thursdays at 9:30 (after Seinfeld in season 1 and after Frasier in season 2). NBC moved the show to Mondays after Suddenly Susan for the 1999–2000 season. Ratings fell more than 50 percent, and NBC put it on hiatus with Suddenly Susan. The show returned on Tuesdays at 9:30 (after Will & Grace) with only a slight boost in ratings. NBC canceled the series in 2000, along with Suddenly Susan, due to low ratings. Reruns were shown on USA Network for a short time in 2000–2001 and on TV Guide Network from 2011–2012.

The show was taped Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, on soundstage 25.

I couldn't find many episodes, just three here at DailyMotion:
Veronica's Blackout (S1E17)
Veronica's Silent Partner (S1Finale)
Veronica's Great Model Search (S2E3)

And on Youtube I found a clip from an episode featuring an early acting job by Zooey Deschanel:





And these clips of the show's first-season intro  and third-season intro (No intro was used during the second season):
>







Do any of you remember this series? Would you have watched it back in the day? Or now if it should become available on DVD (it isn't as of yet) or if more episodes should surface on Youtube or elsewhere?
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I have another "closet" themed post planned for this week.  Stay tuned.